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Last updated: 10 February 2009
10 February 2009
In response to the challenges of the current economic climate and representations from the sector, the Minister for the Third Sector Kevin Brennan, has today announced two key changes to the Grasssroots Grants programme:
The £130m Grassroots Grants programme is funded by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and administered by the Community Development Foundation. The programme combines two elements – an £80 million small grants scheme and an innovative £50 million endowment match challenge.
Under the endowment challenge, the government match funds individual and business donations made to Local Funders. Local Funders will invest these donations and use the returns to provide grant funding to small, local community groups into the future.
In many areas of the country donations had previously been matched by 50p for every pound. In these areas Government will now effectively double its match, providing a more sustainable funding base for small organisations into the future. This includes doubling the match for donations already raised this financial year.
Based on the needs of small local organisations across the country and the expert opinion of the network of local funder’s the Minister has also responded by increasing the eligibility threshold from £20K per annum to £30K per annum.
The Government wants the smallest, volunteer-led organisations to thrive and direct their energies to the particular challenges they see in their local community. This change will enable the Grassroots Grants programme to reach more of these local groups.
Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector said,
”In these difficult times it is important that the government listens. I am making these two key changes to the Grassroots Grants programme in response to representations from voluntary organisations. This is the kind of real help now that is needed in our communities and which the government committed to in its recent Action Plan for the Sector"
Alison Seabrooke, Chief Executive of the Community Development Foundation said:
"It’s crucial for Grassroots Grants to listen and act on feedback from the sector and be flexible, given the current economic climate. Opening up Grassroots Grants will fund and support the vital work of more community groups now, and into the future."
If you would like to find out about applying for a small grant or making a donation, please contact your nearest Local Funder, details of which can be found at www.cdf.org.uk.